This document provides guidance on analyzing the film Slumdog Millionaire in relation to its genre. It lists several conventions and elements of romantic drama genre that could be discussed, including conventions, iconography, storylines, themes, use of dialogue/language/music, and technical codes. It also notes that Slumdog Millionaire has elements of other genres like Bollywood and British Asian cinema. Students are prompted to consider whether the film exemplifies genre conventions or Danny Boyle's influence as an auteur, and how the nonlinear narrative relates to the genre.

1. To what extent are your chosen texts typical of their genre?
How do your chosen texts use genre conventions?
...this question has also been phrased...
There are lots and lots of things to write about regarding Slumdog Millionaire for this question
– it should be easy!
Things to write about...
• Conventions & key signifiers
• Iconography
• Storylines, plots
•Themes, functions and binary oppositions of the genre
• Use of dialogue, language, music
• Use of technical codes
• Hybrid genres
• Auteur theoryVs GenreThings to consider...
With examples, you need to demonstrate that this is a Romantic Drama film - find elements that are
iconic of the genre.
These can be visual codes and technical codes, however you should also talk about the themes that are
typical. What is this film about?
Discuss the fact that there are elements of a hybrid genre – predominantly a romantic drama but also
influenced by Bollywood and British Asian cinema. Where are those influences? Again, look at the visual
and the thematic.
Is this a genre movie or is Danny Boyle’s influence too noticeable? Can he be considered to be an auteur?
Make a For and Against argument with small references to other films - explain how the theory runs
counter to genre theory. Explain Boyle’s visual signature on the movie.
Briefly discuss how the non-linear narrative disguises the fact this has many conventions of the genre.
FilmGenre